Considering Ford’s Continental Division sold a mere 1325 and 444 of these elegant Continental Mark IIs in 1956 and 1957 (respectively), it’s amazing how often they turn up for sale. Or is it? These extravagant and beautifully-styled masterpieces have been collectible since new, when they cost $9,996, the equivalent of $87,747 in 2018. This 1957 Continental Mark II resides in Pacoima, California, was sold in Palm Springs, California, and has purportedly lived its entire life in Southern California. Listed here on eBay with No Reserve, it has garnered 13 bids and will sell for $3176 if no one else clicks “Place Bid.”
The Continental grew from Ford’s mission to build the world’s premier luxury coupe virtually regardless of cost. Thanks to the excellent page at danjedlicka.com, where you can find an informative history of these instant vehicular classics. No Continental would be complete without the faux “Continental Kit,” in this case a cosmetic tribute to the external tire enclosure. Just as most late 1950s automobiles were going “all in” with larger and larger fins, the Continental’s understated design seems forward-looking, a harbinger of mid-sixties design with bumpers more tightly integrated into the body.
The seller graciously includes many pictures including under-car shots, and makes no claim that this mostly original and complete car includes every knob, switch, and component required. Obviously it will need “some of everything” before it rolls out to a car show under its own power. Still, as starting points go, it could be much worse.
The 368 cid V8 made 300 HP and 415 lb-ft of torque, moving the 4800 lb vehicle with grace through a three-speed automatic transmission. Unlike most production cars, the Continental featured a stunning factory engine compartment with show-car-level attention to equipment positioning and cable, wire, and hose routing. Considering most of these cars will be perfectly restored, I might forgive a buyer with a unique and well-executed custom dream in mind for this Mark II. What’s your vision for this former automotive jewel?
Like….
Back in the mid 80’s I got to drive my boss’s 1956 Continental. Black exterior with red leather interior. Very fine automobile. I hope that this one goes to a good home.
This is the only car I can honestly say is a dream car for me.
I will have one sooner or later, but I will not buy a fixer upper.
If they only made 444, I wonder, how many are left? This shouldn’t be customized, but restored, and with an engine compartment like that, why would anyone want to change it?
The article incorrect. There were 3,003 made, total.
It is interesting how the exhaust pipes go through the bodywork to get to the underneath of the car.
They don’t. They go between the frame and the rocker panel.
I want one
Almost four years ago I photographed one of three Continental Mark II convertibles built, two by Hess and Eisenhardt, this being one of them.
http://automotivetraveler.fotki.com/1956-continental-ma/?view=roll
Someone mentioned the engine compartment of the cars. They are stunning and was an example of the Ford Motor Company setting their sights on producing the world’s finest automobile. They may have done that but lost money on each and every Mark II they built.
That being said, they are spectacular automobiles.
The top mechanism developed for this car was used for the 1957-1959 Ford retractable hardtops.
A beautiful automobile photographed beautifully Rich. I tried taking pictures of a coupe stuffed in a basement corner at a Toronto auto show a few years back. I had a difficult time getting an angle to get the whole length of the car. They are long.
I know bidding is long from over on this and the Triumph TR250 above. But at this point I’m a little alarmed a bent Triumph has 3 time the value of this Mk II. And I really like Triumphs.
That engine bay looks familiar.
The rest of the car looks pretty awesome Barry.
Are these unibodies or body on frame? If they are unibodies, I’m wondering how they beefed up the body to handle cutting off the top. These are looooong cars and sag would be a real problem.
The car was originally deigned as a convertible. When it didn’t happen in production they removed a large cross brace in the very substantial frame.
58-59-60 Lincoln convertibles were also subframe. These cars are larger than the car in the article.
No subframe on the Mark III.
Not a huge difference in length.
In production for only two years, the third generation Lincoln Continental was considered the second-most expensive American car in the period, but even with that achievement, the automaker is said to have lost around $1,000 for every unit built. Another interesting feature worth mentioning is that the 1958 Continental was using a unibody construction, making it one of the largest cars ever produced by Ford and one of the largest unibody cars ever built in the automotive industry. The car was also fitted with a retractable “breezeway” reverse-angle rear window, AM radio and dash-mounted air conditioning vents (compared to the previous version which had them on the ceiling). A cool optional feature was the “Auto Lube” system, which enabled the car to lube itself as long as the owner kept the lube reservoir full.
LENGTH 227.1 in OR 5768 mm
WIDTH 80.1 in OR 2035 mm
WHEELBASE 131 in OR 3327 mm
UNLADEN WEIGHT 5174 lbs OR 2347 kg
Second generation. The Mark II was not a Lincoln.
They lost money on the Mark II, not the Mark III.
The top mechanism developed for the Mark II was a retractable hardtop, not a convertible.
Damn…these never come up for sale. I’ve always wanted one really bad. The first time I saw a photo of Mark II was a black and white action shot of it doing the Pikes Peak hill climb sometime in the late 50’s/early 60’s. Love at first sight.
Not rare at all. 6 in Hemmings every month.
The chrome still looks acceptable. The body looks to be without a lot of rot. You’ll not find one much better for the money. Nows the time to pull the trigger, if you want one.
Loved them as a kid, love them now. First one I saw was brand new and silver. Stunning AND big. Wish I were ten or so years younger…this would be mine. Speaking as an older “Ford” guy, best design ever by their “group”.
I’d bet ten bucks someone glued some kind of vinyl onto the roof after it left the showroom. Beautiful cars – I wonder if you didn’t have the dough to address the rust… but kept it in California… how long it would stay just like this.
These were beautiful designs,that still look
newer than they actually are..!There would not be
a dime left in your piggy bank,if you were to restore
this car,however the “smile” would never leave your face,
as swarms of people admired your very rare machine.
Maybe With modern tools like 3d printers..many small pieces
can be made from molds?,or machined?One of
the folks on here said parts were Impossible to get for these,
and I believe it! I knew they were rare,but wow…..!
Really hope it gets a great restoration….will be sooo nice!
He’s wrong. Every part is rebuildable and there are replacements for every rubber part.
Check out this model that this guy is building. This will blow your mind. Probably would cost 50K to build. Challenge this statement after you have taken 5 hours to read all the post. LOL!!
http://forums.aaca.org/topic/145354-construction-of-a-continental-mark-ii-model-scale-112/?page=71&tab=comments#comment-1694009
Someone’s going to spend a boatload of money
I’ve been trying to find a good Mark II for a buddy of mine, but what’s been found, so far in his price range, has been pretty rusty, including my homeland of SoCal.
I’ve also had to school the young lad that the model is not a Lincoln, but a separate marque…
Magnificent cars!
I always wonder how cars like this ever get this “far gone” in the first place. I guess there was a time period when they had little or no value?
Love this boat!! Full restoration on the near horizon. Yessir!!
Had a chance to buy a 1956 one of these that had been customized by Derham with a real leather top ! 48k miles at the time and original Bridge of Weir of London leather interior was in perfect shape! $2500! It was 1973 and I was a full time student and drove a ‘47 Continental V-12 coupe to school but couldn’t raise the money! Yes , another one that got away !
Years back (1970s) I was working for an automobile dealer, and did all their motor vehicle paperwork. A friend of mine traded a new (or almost new) Lincoln straight up for a ’56 Mark II. Being an even-steven trade, there was no tax due. I got a phone call from DMV questioning that one. When I explained what the OLD car was and what it was worth, they took my word for it and processed the paperwork!
Folks, do yourselves a favor and take Jamestown Dave’s advice and follow the link he posted. If reading this fascinating stuff doesn’t keep you up all night until you’ve finished it, then you’re probably not really the car enthusiast you thought you were.
Thanks Jamestown Dave!
RB
That guy is a genius!!!!! I have been following this guy for almost 8 years know. That has to be the most facinating that I have ever seen. Your welcome RB and glad to share.
I had a ’56 that had been owned by the Scripts empire…Parts are very, very hard to find.. I was so happy to trade it for a ’57 XK 140 roadster..I will never buy a low number production car again.. I would rather drive than try to find parts…Still have owners and factory repair manuals in my library..
Never saw anything not to like about this car. Be nice if they drove like that too.
Never saw the convert, so thanks for the pic.
I just did a total mechanical restoration on one. They drive like a modern car when everything no worn out.